nerve damage

[gerryberry]

hi, i was at the hospital today for my 3monthly review with the diabetes team.i had my feet checked etc also, i was told there is some nerve damage in both my feet at the top of my feet. Is this something to be concerned about? they said just to make sure i be extra careful as i dont want the damage to go any further up my foot!!! My hba1c was 7.4% which im pleased about as it was 7.6% 3months ago. Any advice,tips etc very welcome

 

[Steff]

Here are some more tips to protect your feet:

* Check your bare feet every day.
* Look for cuts, sores, bruises or spots. See your GP or diabetes nurse or doctor if you find any problems.
* If you have difficulty seeing the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror. Or ask someone to help.
* Wash your feet in warm water every day using mild soap. Don't soak your feet, as this can dry your skin. Don't have very hot baths.
* Dry your feet with a soft towel. Pay close attention to the areas between your toes.
* After washing your feet, cover them with a lotion (such as baby lotion) before putting your shoes and socks on. (But don't put lotion or cream between your toes.) Your feet will be drier than normal, because diabetes makes you sweat less.
* File your toenails straight across, using a nail file. Make sure you don't leave sharp edges that could cut the next toe. A podiatrist can help show you how to best care for your toenails.
* Don't try to remove corns, calluses or warts yourself. See a foot doctor (a chiropodist or podiatrist) instead.
* If your feet have changed shape, wear trainers or shoes that are extra deep or wide. Or you can get specially moulded shoes that cushion your feet and let your toes move.
* Don't wear flip-flops or plastic shoes. Avoid shoes with pointed toes or high heels. Never go barefoot.
* Check your shoes before you put them on. Make sure they don't have any sharp edges or objects in them.
* Don't wear stockings or socks with holes, seams or repairs that might rub against your feet.
* Don't put heating pads or hot water bottles next to your feet. If your feet get cold at night, wear thick socks.
* Make sure a nurse or doctor checks your feet and the feeling in your feet regulaR

 

[Einstein]

The advice Stef gave is excellent and we all should follow it, we don't even know when we've lost the sensation!

In addition, buy good quality shoes that don't rub and fit well, don't make do with a different size because thats all they've got and then wear less/more under your shoes.

Also you always must wear something between your feet and your shoes.

You must also always wear something on your feet, slippers at home, sandals or similar at the swimming baths (on the side 😉 ) and on the beach.

Be very careful of water temperature and that of surfaces such as sand etc - temperature sensation loss can also be experienced in the feet as well.

Like you my controls were excellent, once I'd been diagnosed and was on insulin, however, the years where my body had been failing to produce enough insulin had laid excellent foundations for peripheral neuropathy. What started as pain in my arms and hands and numbness in my feet has progressed to complete lack of temperature sensation and numbness in my feet and most of my legs.

If you have problems, concerns or are unsure of how to care for your feet as your GP to refer you to a podiatrist. They will tell you how to cut your toe nails and take care of your feet - sounds daft but cutting your toe nails isn't the same as your finger nails! 🙄

 

[sofaraway]

Advice given is very good, even though I don't always follow it all. I will still wear flip flops this summer (if we have one!) even though I have neuropathy. My nerve damage is more pain than loss of sensation, so i take these informed risks.

Good to hear your A1c is going in the right direction. have your team given you any advice to get it down to the target level? The only thng you can really do is to keep your blood sugars as normal as possible.

 

[Alan221]

Gerry, I have nerve damage in both feet (toes and tops) which has caused a lack of feeling rather than pain. The last time I had them checked things had improved in that I could feel more than 6 months earlier. I was told that if my sugars were kept under control then there was every chance that this process would continue, albeit slowly. In my case the damage resulted from very high glucose levels when I was diagnosed just over 2 years ago. My last hbA1c was 7.7 which I was fairly pleased with. One thought I was left with was that if there was a choice between losing the feeling or the circulation the specialist would choose the feeling every time.

 

[gerryberry]

Thank you so much for all the great replies i really need to take more time and care,i would hate for this to get worse

it is good to know i am not alone then with the feet thing😉 i am not generally feeling so much pain i would say it must be the feeling. i have always had pretty good hba1c's so i was pretty surprised and i was diagnosed about 6yrs ago but maybe the damage had been done already.having said that it took me long time to get control back after having my son 2yrs ago.

to get my hba1c down the consultant said to keep doing what i am doing and shift some weight and it will probably help get to target.

also the diabetic nurses have just recently been trained to train patients in the 'carb counting' and are looking for guinea pigs! i told them to put my name at top of list as this will help my hba1c too am sure. it is just going to be a 3day course tho!

Thanks again i have no excuse now with all those tips and advice

 

[sofaraway]

I think carb counting will help you get your A1c down, will you have to wait long for the course do you know? I would suggest you get started by learning the basics so that it makes more sense when you go on the course.

 

[gerryberry]

hopefully not too long, the dietician is off sick just now but when she is back i have to go see her 1st. they are just trying to get as many to volunteer 1st and think they finding hard to convince people to give it a go. she said it is all women on the list so far!! i think it was sue from here who posted links and i had a look, i get so scared when i see numbers😱 but i know i will get the hang of it once i get into it,i am looking forward to it as it really does seem to pay off and maybe il get that hba1c below 7😉